Intended for PA speakers, line arrays and professional single or dual sub-woofers, they are based on the firm’s own ICEedge chip-set and include a universal mains switch mode power supply with PFC – with ErP and Energy Star compliant stand-by, regulated auxiliary power supplies and wake-on-signal.

“Our proprietary technologies ensure crisp, clear and delicate audio reproduction with a tightly controlled bass response,” claimed the firm. “The use of a regulated power supply topology ensures consistent power performance globally across both low and high mains.”

There are two versions: singe-channel 1200AS1 and dual-channel 1200AS2, the latter of which can put 1.2kW/channel into 4Ω and 1.4kW into 3Ω.

Why the low noise floor?

“As transducer technology evolves, new speakers are capable of increasingly higher power handling,” said ICEpower. “Increasing the power to the speaker enables higher SPL output and extended low frequency bass output in cabinets that are lighter and more compact than ever before. Developments in compression driver technology has seen sensitivity increase. Highly efficient and sensitive compression drivers mean that everything going into the compression driver is heard. This requires ultra low noise power amplifiers to achieve optimum sound quality without audible speaker hiss.”

ICEpower is a subsidiary of Bang & Olufsen, founded in 1999 by Bang & Olufsen and Dr Karsten Nielsen of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), based on technology developed in research between Bang & Olufsen and DTU. It has collaborated with companies including Bowers & Wilkins, Pioneer, TEAC, Samsung, Asus, Toshiba, Sanyo and Audi.